Wichita State News: All Stories

Education intern connects people to art at Ulrich Museum

Art history major Loryn Leonard interns with the Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University, nurturing her passion for art and education.

She began her college career in Texas as an art education major and was required to take a three-dimensional studio art class.

"I took metalsmithing and became riveted with it ever since," she said.

In metalsmithing, she worked with nonferrous metals such as copper, brass, silver and gold, and used traditional craftsman techniques to create contemporary art forms.

"Metalsmithing is an art form that is delicate and difficult," she said, "so if there is anything that I have gained, it is patience."

Leonard received her Bachelor of Fine Art in metalsmithing and jewelry from the University of North Texas in 2007.

Leonard is at WSU pursuing her second undergraduate degree in art history.

"I felt apprehensive about continuing my education in metalsmithing," she said. "Although (it) is my passion, I decided to focus on the academic side of the art spectrum."

She is trying to encompass the entire art history spectrum in her studies.

"Art history has always fascinated me," Leonard said. "I believe that art history is intertwined with a society's socio-cultural background."

But her favorite aspect is learning about the different methodologies in art, how they're applied to socio-cultural beliefs and how art is a reflection of those ideals.

"Researching artists that are new to me is like discovering an ancient relic," she said. "It's exciting to learn how the artist was influenced by his or her surroundings or how the art itself impacted their culture."

Leonard is also participating in a medieval and renaissance certificate program, which is similar to working on a thesis. She must research and present a topic to a board to receive her certification.

And she is trying to start a contemporary arts society for WSU students to raise awareness of current art events and to promote professional practice.

Leonard began an internship with the Ulrich Museum in July working with Aimee Geist, the curator of education and Teresa Veazey.

Her responsibilities include researching artists, guiding tours, advocating for student membership, assisting in education marketing and preparing museum events.

"Interns like Loryn are invaluable," Veazey said. "They're always willing to help out with museum tours, artists' lectures, opening parties, anything and everything that happens at the museum."

"My favorite part of my job, and I joke with (my boss) about this, is taking the golf cart out on errands," Leonard said.

But truthfully, Leonard said she enjoys leading tours and being the bridge from the art to the viewer.

Interning with the Ulrich Museum will prepare her well for a future career coordinating the education department of a museum.

"Being an education intern has provided me with invaluable experiences," she said. "I get a behind the scenes glance at the internal clockwork of a museum."

The education curator takes an exhibition and creates various activities and events that comply with the art, she said, essentially connecting people with art.

"Loryn wants to work in an art museum when she graduates from WSU, and nothing will look better on her resume than a year's experience working at the Ulrich," Veazey said.

After she receives her undergraduate degree, Leonard plans to attend graduate school in 2011, write books about her research and possibly teach art history in the process.

In her spare time, she reads and continues to work on metalsmithing in her make-shift basement studio to keep her skills fine-tuned.

WSU's Center for Entrepreneurship announces Coleman faculty fellows

The Center for Entrepreneurship in the W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has announced the new Coleman Faculty Entrepreneurship Fellows awardees.

They are Steven Skinner from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and Ngoyi Bukonda, Toni Pickard and Ron Stephen from the Department of Public Health Sciences.

The fellows program is sponsored by the Coleman Foundation. The purpose is to increase and build support for entrepreneurship education across the WSU campus.

The faculty fellows will engage in projects that foster self-employment education and strengthen the efforts to grow entrepreneurship education.

They were selected from a number of applicants because of their desire to enhance student learning in their areas as it relates to entrepreneurship. Enhancements may include:

Creating and teaching an entrepreneurship class within their discipline that leads to the course becoming an ongoing offering

Modifying an existing course by incorporating elements of self-employment education to the course, leading to it becoming an ongoing offering

Sponsoring, advising and supervising student-led entrepreneurship educational efforts such as new student businesses

Development of experiential entrepreneurship education programs within their department or college

In addition to the naming of the faculty fellows, Lyn Goldberg has been named the Center for Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellow for 2009-2010. Goldberg is from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

WSU teacher programs already reflect White House goals

The College of Education at Wichita State University is in the process of meeting the teacher-training reforms recently outlined by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in a speech covered by the Associated Press ("Official: Colleges don't prepare teachers," Oct. 22 Wichita Eagle).

Thanks to a U.S. Department of Education grant worth $6.2 million over the next five years, WSU's education faculty can continue work on a program that advances teacher preparation for urban education. Funds for development of the Urban Teacher Preparation Program at WSU came from the DOE's teacher quality partnerships grant program.

In his speech, given to Columbia University's Teachers College, Duncan called for an overhaul of college teacher preparation programs. He cited two common complaints from teachers: not enough hands-on training in the classroom; and not enough learning about how to use data to improve instruction and boost student learning.

Sharon Iorio

In fact, said WSU Education Dean Sharon Iorio, WSU actually started reforms in its teacher preparation program two years ago with a seed grant from the Kansas Board of Regents.

"WSU is likely one of the first universities to hit the ground running with the new delivery programs for teacher preparation on a large scale with all undergrads involved," said Iorio.

The new program at WSU will add deeper layers to already existing partnerships with Wichita public schools by sending teacher candidates into high-need schools.

"Not only are our WSU students preparing in these schools, faculty from the colleges of education, fine arts, and liberal arts and sciences will be helping our students in these schools as well," Iorio said. "There is no other program that we know of than the professional development schools model we use at WSU that will give teaching students more time in school classrooms."

In addition, Iorio pointed out that all undergraduate students at WSU are taught about creating tools for data collection in a course early in their programs, and they complete mini-research projects in methods and student teaching. These projects require the collection and analysis of data in terms of the whole class, two individuals and two groups. WSU students cannot graduate without meeting the competency on these assessments.

Graduating students at WSU consistently give high marks regarding preparedness in the College of Education's exit survey, Iorio said. In turn, those who end up teaching in Kansas are highly rated by their employers, according to a 2009 College of Education survey sent to Kansas schools that hire WSU undergraduate teacher education candidates.

Iorio said the survey asked the employers to rate the candidates as either highly prepared, moderately prepared or slightly prepared. Results found that about 74 percent of Kansas employers who hire WSU undergraduate teacher education candidates consider them "well prepared" to enter their first year of practice and an additional 23 percent of employers consider WSU candidates "adequately prepared."

Taken together, said Iorio, 97 percent of employers feel WSU candidates are prepared for their first days of teaching.

For more about the state of the nation's teacher preparation, the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education has responses to the secretary of education's speech at http://www.aacte.org.

WSU College of Fine Arts has busy November planned

Roger Rees

A Wichita State University Connoisseur Series event, Roger Rees in "What You Will" is a one-man show that mixes the greatest soliloquies of William Shakespeare with comic accounts of stage disasters. Rees, a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company for 22 years, was also in "Cheers" (as Kirstie Alley's character's boyfriend, Robin).

Phillip Black, tuba, will perform the first Faculty Artist concert of the month, followed mid-month by faculty artist Scott Oakes, bassoon. Lynne Davis, organ, will perform for Wednesdays in Wiedemann and guest Anna Myeong will perform in the Rie Bloomfield Organ Series. The month in music also includes showcase concerts for Jazz Arts, Concert Band, Concert Chorale and the Percussion Ensemble.

The Kansas Dance Festival always ranks highly among November's most stellar events. This year's show follows on the heels of dance director Nick Johnson and instructor Sabrina Vasquez taking, by special invitation, their Alithea Mime Theatre troupe to the International Mime Festival in Warsaw, Poland.

The School of Performing Arts will also present "The Burning Room," winner of WSU's Playwriting Competition, and Mozart's "Cosi fan tutte."

Tickets can be purchased in person or by phone from noon-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the College of Fine Arts Box Office, (316) 978-3233.

Concert: Phillip Black, tuba, WSU Faculty Artist Series, 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, Wiedemann Recital Hall. Tickets $7, discounts available. Box office, (316) 978-3233.

Concert: Lynne Davis, organist, Wednesdays in Wiedemann, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, Wiedemann Recital Hall. Free half-hour concert. Information, (316) 978-6218.

Dance: Kansas Dance Festival, WSU School of Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, and Saturday, Nov. 7, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Tickets $10, discounts available. Box office, (316) 978-3233.

Concert: WSU Jazz Arts I and Mid-Kansas Jazz Ensemble, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Tickets $7, discounts available. Box office, (316) 978-3233.

Concert: Anna Myeong, organist, WSU Rie Bloomfield Organ Series, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, Wiedemann Recital Hall. Tickets $10, discounts available. Box office, (316) 978-3233.

Theater: "The Burning Room," WSU Second Stage, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, Nov. 11-Nov. 14; 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 14-15; Welsbacher Theatre, Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 5915 E. 29th St. N. Tickets $10, discounts available. Box office, (316) 978-3233.

Concert: WSU Concert Chorale, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, Wiedemann Recital Hall. Tickets $7, discounts available. Box office, (316) 978-3233.

Concert: Scott Oakes, bassoon, WSU Faculty Artist Series, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, Wiedemann Recital Hall. Tickets $7, discounts available. Box office, (316) 978-3233.

Lecture: Tom Huck, artist's talk, "Rural Satire and Graphic Terror," 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, Ulrich Museum of Art, WSU campus. Free. "Snacktime Marcy" on exhibit through December. Gallery hours 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 1-5 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays. Information, (316) 978-3664.

Theater: Roger Rees in "What You Will," WSU Connoisseur Series, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, Wilner Auditorium. Tickets $20, discounts available. Box office, (316) 978-3233.

Opera: "Cosi fan tutte," WSU Opera and Musical Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19-Saturday, Nov. 21; 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, Wilner Auditorium. Tickets $16, discounts available. Box office, (316) 978-3233.

WSU Percussion Ensemble Concert, 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center, WSU. Tickets $7, discounts available. Box office, (316) 978-3233.

Learn all about telescopes at the Lake Afton Public Observatory

The Lake Afton Public Observatory, in conjunction with the Kansas Astronomical Observers, will host a telescope fair from 7:30-10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21.

Members of the Kansas Astronomical Observers will set up their telescopes and be available to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different types of telescopes.

If you are considering buying a telescope as a holiday gift, or don't know how to use one, don't miss this opportunity to talk to the experts and see a number of different types of telescopes.

The observatory's regularly scheduled program that evening is "Exploring the Milky Way," from 7:30-10 p.m. Jupiter, a multiple star, a globular cluster of stars, a planetary nebula and another galaxy will be observed.

Lake Afton Public Observatory is operated by the Fairmount Center for Science and Mathematics Education, a part of the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Science at Wichita State University.

WSU Alumni Speaker Series to feature Kansas Gov. Parkinson

Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson will be the featured speaker in the Wichita State University Alumni Association-sponsored Rise & Shine Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series Wednesday, Jan. 20.

The event is scheduled in the Marcus Welcome Center.

The breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m., with informal lectures at 8 a.m., followed by a question-and-answer period that ends at about 8:30 a.m.

There is an admission charge, and advance reservations are required. The cost is $18 for alumni association members, $20 for nonmembers and $10 for students.

Speaker information and online reservations are available at http://webs.wichita.edu/alumni/breakfast2009.asp. For additional information, contact the WSU Alumni Association at (316) 978-3290.

Parkinson, '80, became Kansas' 45th governor in April 2009. This WSU secondary education graduate has targeted economics, energy and education, a trio of difficult and interwoven issues.

A successful businessman and former legislator, Parkinson graduated summa cum laude from WSU and first in his class from the University of Kansas School of Law. After entering private practice, he formed his own law firm in 1986.

He was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in 1990 and two years later to the Kansas Senate. In 2006, he joined Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as lieutenant governor. Under his political leadership, wind farms have tripled in Kansas, and the state (the future home to the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility) is leveraging resources from the American Recovery Act to create jobs, rebuild infrastructure and continue investment in public schools.

Following is a list of other speakers in the 2009-10 breakfast series:

Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010

Herb Krumsick, '66, senior vice president of J.P. Weigand & Sons Inc., Wichita, has 40 years of experience in real estate, having brokered, bought and/or sold more than

$1 billion in commercial projects during his career. He has given more than 285 speeches and seminars on a national basis, is a partner and real estate asset manager for three groups of investors, and is a stockholder in the ownership of millions of square feet of commercial real estate.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Kevin Hooper, fs '99, who enjoyed a 10-year playing career in professional baseball, was named manager of the Wichita Wingnuts in 2009. During his pro career, he won three championships, spent parts of two seasons in the Major Leagues and totaled 1,116 base hits. Prior to turning pro, he was a four-year star at WSU, helping the Shockers reach the College World Series in 1996. He still ranks in the Top 10 in Shocker history in runs (5th, 287), hits (7th, 315), doubles (7th, 58) and triples (9th, 17).

Friday, April 30, 2010

Julie-Ellen Acosta, '80/'84, is vice president of Leadership Talent Management, an HR function within The Boeing Co. In this role, she is responsible for the selection and development of employees who will become future company leaders. She also takes the lead on providing managers and employees with the tools they need to build leadership skills that align with key company areas. Prior to her current position, she served as vice president of aerostructures, manufacturing and support technologies for Boeing Phantom Works (now Boeing R&D).

Hand sanitizer versus soap and water

CBS News recently reported that sales of hand sanitizer jumped more than 40 percent since the H1N1 flu virus began spreading across the country.

Millions of people are reaching for a dollop at work, in restaurants, or anywhere on the go. FactFinder 12 Investigators wanted to know if all the fuss was justified.

With help from a Wichita State University germ expert, we put hand sanitizer to the test against good old soap and water.

"I like germs. They're so cool. It's amazing what they can do," said Microbiologist Fawn Beckman," as she prepared for an experiment.

Read full story

University to take a break during Thanksgiving holiday

Classes at Wichita State will not be held Wednesday, Nov. 25, through Sunday, Nov. 29, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Most university offices will be open Wednesday, Nov. 25, but will close for the holiday Nov. 26-Nov. 29.

Offices will reopen and classes will resume Monday, Nov. 30.

The Ulrich Museum of Art will close for two days, Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27, but will be open regular hours, 1-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 28-29.

WSU to hold free Financial Aid Informational Workshop

Wichita State University's Office of Financial Aid is planning a free Financial Aid Informational Workshop from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, in the Marcus Welcome Center.

Door prizes will be awarded to many students in attendance, with the grand prize of a $500 scholarship for spring 2010 that can be used by current or guest students.

This workshop will help students and families learn about the financial aid process, how to apply, steps involved in receiving financial aid and much more.

Staff will be available throughout the program to offer advice and answer specific questions. To RSVP, go to www.wichita.edu/financialaidevents.

Attendees can pick and choose from the following sessions:

"Understanding the Basics of Financial Aid" - An introduction to important financial aid terms, such as cost of attendance, expected family contribution and financial need. Receive a basic overview of the financial aid process and learn about the federal, state and institutional grants, loans and employment programs available to help make college more affordable. Sessions offered at 9:35 a.m., 10:15 a.m. and 10:55 a.m.

"Free Application for Federal Student Aid" - Get answers to the most common FAFSA questions in a step-by-step look at the application. Help minimize errors on your 2010-2011 FAFSA application and learn what information is needed to complete the process. Sessions offered at 9:40 a.m., 10:15 a.m. and 10:50 a.m.

"Scholarships" - Explore scholarship opportunities at WSU and learn about other Web sites and resources to search for additional scholarship prospects. Sessions offered at 9:40 a.m., 10:15 a.m. and 10:50 a.m.

"Question & Answer" - This is your chance to ask specific questions regarding your unique situation and circumstances in a one-on-one setting. Admissions counselors will be available throughout the morning.

WSU's 'Cosi fan tutte' a comic tale of love and faithfulness

Wichita State University's Opera and Musical Theatre Series will present "Cosi fan tutte" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 19-21, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, in Miller Concert Hall.

The opera, by W.A. Mozart and L. Da Ponte, will be presented in Italian with English titles. "Cosi fan tutte" translates to "They All Do It."

Can women be faithful? That's the question posed by the greatest writing team of the 18th century. Two young soldiers are convinced their girlfriends are incapable of fidelity. Their cynical older friend maintains that "they all do it." The witty, sophisticated comedy, subtitled "The School for Lovers," features Mozart's melting melodies and Da Ponte's enlightened script.

The plot centers around a wager: The young soldiers bet their older friend that their sweethearts will remain faithful to them, even if they are called off to war. To test the girls, they fake a departure but return disguised as "Albanians." The bogus foreigners proceed to court the girls, who at first reject them. But spurred on by their misogynistic maid, the girls eventually agree to a date. Confusion, jealousy, forgiveness and, finally, wisdom result.

The opera's six characters are played by WSU graduate and undergraduate students sharing the roles, and Opera Kansas artistic director Edward Ehinger as the cynical Don Alfonso. Mark Laycock conducts the WSU Symphony.

Marie Allyn King

Lighting is by David Neville, and costumes by Rebecca Maholland. Marie Allyn King directs; musical preparation is by Robert Glasmann.

Fiordiligi will be portrayed by Jessica Walkup/Cearria Turner; Dorabella by Danielle Rohr/Erin Mundus; Despina by Leanne Scaggs/Meghan Zuver; Ferrando by Theodore Dvorak/Aaron Short; Guglielmo by Kyle D. Wheatley/Matthan Black; and Don Alfonso by Ehinger/Yung Jin Lai.

The first cast member listed after the character will perform Nov. 19 and Nov. 21; the second cast member listed will perform Nov. 20 and Nov. 22.

National Opera Week

Wichita State University is participating in a nationwide celebration of the thrilling art form that is opera. Professional companies, community groups and university programs are all helping to spotlight operatic activities. WSU's production of "Cosi fan tutte" is part of this new initiative.

Opera Talks

Ticket holders are invited to join Marie Allyn King, director of WSU Opera and Musical Theatre, 30 minutes prior to each performance for an informal and entertaining talk about the history of the opera, the plot and musical structure, composer and librettist. Opera Talks take place in Miller Concert Hall.

WSU's criminal justice program receives national ranking

The Southwest Journal of Criminal Justice has ranked Wichita State University's criminal justice program No. 7 in the nation for the number of books written by criminal justice faculty.

Thirty universities were ranked by the journal study.

The study is a good indicator of how productive Wichita State's criminal justice program is. Typically programs that offer a doctorate and also have a large number of faculty produce the most books.

Michael Birzer

Michael Birzer, director of WSU's School of Community Affairs, said this ranking speaks volumes about the quality of Wichita State's criminal justice faculty.

"When you consider the fact that we were ranked above many of the country's larger criminal justice programs that have three and four times the number of faculty is impressive," Birzer said. "We were ranked above many other criminal justice programs that would be considered elite programs."

PODCAST: Security cameras watch holiday shoppers, thieves

This WSU Newsline Podcast is available at http://www.wichita.edu/newslinepodcast. See the transcript below:

You're listening to the podcast edition of the Wichita State University audio newsline. Learn more about WSU — the home of Thinkers, Doers, Movers and Shockers — on the Web at wichita.edu.

Holiday shoppers may be too busy to notice, but they're being watched by security cameras. To some, these cameras provide a level of comfort or security. To others, they are an invasion of privacy. Whether people are actually safer or not, Wichita State University criminologist Paul Cromwell says security cameras aren't a major deterrent.

Cromwell: "Recent research shows that the deterrent effect or the prevention effect of closed circuit television is not as great as it once was thought to be. Apparently there is a small positive effect from a deterrence and prevention standpoint, but not the great effect that once was thought."

Few statistics back up the helpfulness or effectiveness of surveillance cameras, yet cities, businesses and schools across the country are installing the devices by the thousands.

Cromwell: "There's been a tremendous growth in the use and extent of closed circuit television. Originally, 10, 15 years ago, it was primarily in banks and in convenience stores and such kinds of businesses as that. Over time, because they have at least the appearance of being very effective, they've been moved to schools and other locations, other retail businesses and so forth."

And Cromwell says the use of security cameras is expanding to outdoor locations.

Cromwell: "More recently we are beginning to see a lot more outdoor sights, traffic control for example, street corners, sidewalks, parks, locations where the general public is apt to be at risk."

So what is the main purpose of security cameras? Cromwell explains.

Cromwell: "There appears to be two main purposes of closed circuit television. One is the prevention or deterrence, and the other is enforcement or apprehension of criminals."

From a law enforcement perspective, Cromwell says security cameras have proven to be somewhat successful.

Cromwell: "From an enforcement or apprehension point of view, closed circuit television does appear to have a greater role and a greater effectiveness. Once the offense has occurred, the modern closed circuit television with better ability to identify has been fairly effective across a variety of crimes."

Of course, some people are concerned that security cameras are an invasion of privacy.

Cromwell: "Probably the greatest issue with regard to closed circuit television and the growth of it has been the privacy issue. The courts have held that there's no right to privacy in a public place, although there are a number of individuals and groups that are campaigning against closed circuit television in public places, primarily due to a fear of invasion of a greater level of privacy, such as looking through the bedroom windows or restrooms or fitting rooms in stores and so forth."

Cromwell explains why the concern about the cost of monitoring security cameras is overrated.

Cromwell: "There's been some concern about the cost of monitoring closed circuit television and, for the most part, most closed circuit TVs are not monitored. The information is simply stored on a hard disk of a computer, and after a crime has been committed then law enforcement can go back and review the tape for that particular period of time. So, that cost of monitoring is really a lot less than it might be thought."

Surveillance cameras may be gaining in popularity, even if their effectiveness is in question. Several regional studies have yielded discouraging results, such as a University of California Berkeley report that showed San Francisco's 68 surveillance cameras have apparently not deterred criminals from committing assaults, sex offenses or robberies.

The effectiveness of security cameras will continue to be debated, but there's little debate that they won't be going away anytime soon.

Thanks for listening. Until next time, this is Joe Kleinsasser for Wichita State University.

Global sales is the focus of upcoming Word Trade Council event

The World Trade Council of Wichita and the Center for International Business Advancement (CIBA) will host a reception, dinner and keynote address, "Export Strategy & Success of Research Products Co. – Division of McShares Inc. and Viobin USA," at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Olive Tree Banquet Hall, 2949 N. Rock Road.

The event will feature an EMBA research project by Wichita State University students Amy Shoemaker, Mickey Hines, Saeed Cheema and John Walker, who will present their findings on "McShares Enriched Grain: Exporting Nutrition to Mexico."

Dharma deSilva

CIBA Director Dharma deSilva said the project is a unique opportunity for the participating company and students to benefit from real-world research collaboration efforts.

The keynote address, "Successful Strategies for Increasing Global Sales," will be given by Monte White, president and CEO of Research Products Co., a division of McShares Inc. McShares was a finalist for the 2009 Governor's Exporter of the Year Award.

Reservations can be made by fax at (316) 978-3698, online at www.wtc.wichita.edu or by e-mail at wtc.ciba@wichita.edu. Reservations and payment are due by Monday, Nov 16.

The cost is $25 for WTC members, $30 for nonmembers and $15 for students.

WSU to present acclaimed actor Roger Rees in 'What You Will'

Wichita State University will bring Wichita audiences an evening with stage, film and television actor Roger Rees in his acclaimed one-man Shakespeare show "What You Will" at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, in Wilner Auditorium.

It's a Connoisseur Series presentation of the College of Fine Arts and School of Performing Arts Theatre Program.

Roger Rees

Students can receive free tickets if they pick them up by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the College of Fine Arts Box Office. Wichita teachers can also reserve group tickets by the same deadline and pick them up the night of the performance.

The free tickets are thanks to a generous donation from the Sam and Rie Bloomfield Foundation, said Wendy Hanes, associate dean of fine arts.

"What You Will" has been described as an irreverent one-man everything there is "to be or not to be" about William Shakespeare. Rees, a 20-year veteran of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), presents the greatest soliloquies ever written, along with side-splitting accounts of some of the funniest disasters ever perpetrated on the Shakespearean stage.

Rees received international acclaim, receiving both Olivier and Tony Awards for his portrayal of the title role in the RSC's "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby." Rees' career also includes roles in such films as "The Prestige," "The Pink Panther," "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" and "Frida."

American television audiences know him best as the British Ambassador Lord John Marbury in "The West Wing," dashing English tycoon Robin Colcord on "Cheers" and Dr. Colin Marlow on "Grey's Anatomy."

In "What You Will," Romeo, Juliet's foolish Nurse, gory Macbeth, Hamlet, the oh-so-tragic Richard II, and even Charles Dickens, James Thurber, Noel Coward and Stevie Wonder make appearances in "the comic highlight of the year ... a veritable riot of wit and laughter" (North Adams Transcript).

The Berkshire Review described the show as "at once merrily irreverent and respectful, audaciously dismissive and deserving, puckishly playful and protective, sublimely whimsical and wise … a delicious evening of theater in the fullest sense of the word."

After "What You Will" played at the Folger Theatre in Washington, D.C., the Washington Post declared that Rees "conveys each character with the combination of technique and magnetism that has distinguished the RSC actors of his generation."

Technical theater major chose to work backstage rather than perform

Brandon Holmes spent his summer backstage at Music Theatre of Wichita managing the stage for the company's productions.

Holmes performed in musicals and theater in high school and his community, but at Wichita State University he chose a different path.

"I knew that I wanted to stick with theater because that is what I knew a great deal about," he said. "But I didn't want to perform anymore."

Instead, Holmes chose a field with "great demand for people and great opportunities to do amazing things."

Holmes is a senior in technical theater and design at WSU's College of Fine Arts.

Most of his career at WSU has been influenced by stage management, which is what he wants to do when he graduates. But he can also be seen working on the set.

Holmes said he enjoys seeing a show be built from its feet upward.

"You literally get to see the building blocks of the show and, when all the elements come together, it is such a rewarding feeling," he said.

Holmes spends hours every day working on a show, whether it's paperwork, organizing or being onstage.

"My major (has) a lot of hands-on work," he said. "You have to design something that fits with all elements of theater: costume, lighting, set, props, whatever. You have to find some way to tell the audience about the story from your side without confusing them."

But there are drawbacks to working behind the scenes instead of on center stage.

Holmes grew up as a performer, and the audience was able to see him after the show or at curtain call to applaud his performance.

"But being backstage, no one in the audience knows who you are or the work that you have done for this show to run so well," he said. "But it is still a great feeling to see the audience standing at the end of a show that you have helped put together."

Holmes' management experience started in high school at Shawnee Mission South, but most of his knowledge comes from WSU.

A stage manager keeps the cast and design team informed about the show so once technical rehearsals and performances are under way, everyone is on the same page, he said.

Stage managers call light cues, sound cues and scene shifts. They also make sure everything happens in the way it needs to happen.

David Neville, assistant professor and scenic light designer for WSU's College of Fine Arts, said Holmes was not a bossy stage manager, but he also wasn't a pushover.

"He's got a good head on his shoulders," Neville said. "He's organized. He's smart."

Holmes was assistant stage manager for "The Wild Party" and stage manager for "Medea," "Greater Tuna," "Lady, Be Good!" and "Waltzing in Heaven."

He began working at Music Theatre of Wichita in the summer of 2008. He worked there again last summer.

"It is a summer employment kind of situation, so you don't really know if you will be there until the next year," he said.

He was responsible for taking care and keeping track of props, organizing prop placement and completing theater paperwork. He also made sure scene changes occurred correctly.

He was assistant stage manager for many shows at MTW including "My Fair Lady," "Miss Saigon" and "The Producers."

"'Producers' was fun just because it was a very large show with a lot of fun elements," he said, including the dancing Nazi puppets.

In "Miss Saigon," a Cadillac and a helicopter made stage appearances.

MTW does Broadway-quality shows with real professionals, Holmes said.

"A lot of the people you see in the shows there have been seen and will be seen on Broadway," he said.

As soon as he graduates, Holmes wants to join a touring company of a show.

"I want to be a stage manager because I like to be in charge and physically involved in the running of a show," he said.